Variable Geometry Occipital Fixation Plate

ABSTRACT

A fixation device for connecting a stabilization device to a bone comprises a first member comprising a first portion for attachment to a bone, and a second member comprising a second portion for attachment to a bone and connected to the first member by a pivotal connection such that the first and second portions are spaced apart by an adjustable distance, at least one of the first and second members further comprising a portion for mounting a connector adapted to secure a stabilization device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of, and claims a benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/609,868,now allowed, entitled “VARIABLE GEOMETRY OCCIPITAL FIXATION PLATE,”filed Oct. 30, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/085,672, entitled “VARIABLE GEOMETRY OCCIPITAL FIXATIONPLATE,” filed Mar. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,942, the entirecontents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to fixation devices usedin orthopedic surgery and, more particularly, to devices used forcervical posterior fixation by means of a plate attached to a bone inthe occipital region and secured to a rod which attaches to a cable,wire, plate, or screw fastened in the spinal region.

BACKGROUND

Fixation devices are used in orthopedic surgery to stabilize bones suchas those in the spinal column. One type of fixation device includes aplate attachable to a portion of a bone. The plate may be connected toanother bone or another portion of the same bone, directly or throughother connecting devices. For example, posterior fixation devices caninclude a plate fastened to the skull, or occiput, one or more rodsrunning longitudinally along the spine and connected to the plate, andplates, cables, wires, hooks, screws, or other connectors attached to avertebra and connected to the rod.

A number of such mechanisms are known in the act. To accommodate thevariation in patient size and anatomy, a plate often needs to be chosenfrom a set of plates of multiple sizes and/or varying geometry. Thisresults in a higher cost of the device assembly and a need to maintainseparate inventory of the various size and geometry devices. It alsoincreases the surgical time because the surgeon must search for thedevice that best fits the patient. Accordingly, there is a need for animproved fixation plate.

SUMMARY

A fixation device for connecting a stabilization device to a bonecomprises a first member comprising a first portion for attachment to abone; a second member comprising a second portion for attachment to abone and connected to the first member by a pivotal connection such thatthe first and second portions are spaced apart by an adjustabledistance, at least one of the first and second members furthercomprising a portion for mounting a connector adapted to secure astabilization device

A method of attaching a stabilization device to a bone comprisesattaching a first plate to a bone at a first portion on the first plate;attaching a second plate, pivotally attached to the first plate, to abone at a second portion on the second plate; pivotally adjusting theposition of the second plate relative to the first plate to adjust thedistance between the first portion and the second portion; and attachinga stabilization device to either the first plate or the second plate.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of theinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which shows and describes illustrativeembodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention iscapable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative innature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a variable geometry occipital device, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows another exploded view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device of FIG. 1 after insertion of the attachment bosses.

FIG. 5A shows a top plan view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device of FIG. 1 in its narrowest configuration.

FIG. 5B shows a top plan view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device of FIG. 1 in its widest configuration.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method of using the variable geometryoccipital fixation device of FIG. 1.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, isnot to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. Onthe contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a variable geometry occipital device 10 in one embodimentof the invention. The variable geometry occipital device 10 in this caseis affixed to the occiput 2 of the patient 4. One or more rods 6 areattached to the device 10 and run substantially along the spine column 8and are attached to various segments of the spinal column 8.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the variable geometry occipitaldevice 10 of FIG. 1. The variable geometry occipital fixation device 10includes a first lateral member 12, a second lateral member 14, and amidline member 16. The first lateral member includes a proximal end 18,a distal end 20, and an attachment bore 22 located at the distal end 20.

The second lateral member includes a proximal end 24, a distal end 26,and an attachment bore 28 located at the distal end 26. The midlinemember includes a proximal end 30 and a distal end 32. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, the proximal ends 18, 24, and 30 are stacked on top ofeach other. Attachment bosses 34 are inserted into the attachment bores22 and 28. Each attachment boss 34 has a slot 35 for receiving astabilization device such as a rod, a cable or a cord. The attachmentboss 34 further has a threaded portion 76 for receiving a threadedfastener, such as a set screw, which can be tightened directly orindirectly (e.g., through a spacer) against the stabilization device toretain it in the slot 35. Any other suitable connectors for securingstabilization devices can be used instead of the attachment bosses 34 toachieve the desired performance.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device 10 of FIG. 1. The first lateral member 12 includes theattachment bore 22, a pivot bore 36 located at the proximal end 18, anda fixation bore 38 interposed between the attachment bore 22 and thepivot bore 36. A groove 40 is interposed between the proximal end 18 andthe distal end 20. The groove 40 facilitates bending of the firstlateral member 12 so that it conforms to the occiput. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, the groove 40 is located on a top surface 42. Thegroove 40 could alternatively be located in any other suitable area.Alternatively, the first lateral member 12 could have more than onegroove 40, or no groove at all.

Similarly, the second lateral member 14 includes a pivot bore 44 locatedat the proximal end 24, the attachment bore 28 located at the distal end26, and a fixation bore 46 interposed between the attachment bore 28 andthe pivot bore 44. A groove 48 is interposed between the proximal end 24and the distal end 26 and is located on a top surface 50. Alternatively,the groove 48 could be located in some other suitable area. The secondlateral member 14 could include any appropriate number of grooves 48.

The midline member 16 includes a proximal end 30 and a distal end 32. Apivot bore 52 is located at the proximal end 30 and a fixation bore 54is located at the distal end 32. A groove 56 is interposed between theproximal end 30 and the distal end 32 and is located on a top surface58. The midline member 16 could include any appropriate number ofgrooves 56 located in any suitable area.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pivot bores 36, 44, and 52 arealigned so that the first lateral member 12 and the second lateralmember 14 rotate around a common axis 60. The thickness 62 of theproximal end 18 of the first lateral member 12 is less than thethickness 64 of the distal end 20. Similarly, the thickness 66 of theproximal end 24 of the second lateral member 14 is less than thethickness 68 of the distal end 26. The thickness 70 of the proximal end30 of the midline member 16 is also less than the thickness 72 of thedistal end 32. In this manner, when the three members 12, 14, and 16 areassembled together and installed in the patient 4, the thickness of theoccipital device 10 is substantially uniform across the members 12, 14,and 16 and the stacked portions of members 12, 14, and 16. However, theinvention is not limited to a device of such uniform thickness. Thethicknesses 64, 68, and 72 need not be less than the thicknesses 66, 70,and 74 or be less by the same amounts as in this illustrative embodimentof the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the fixation bore 38 in the firstlateral member 12 is countersunk so that when a fastener (not shown) isinserted into fixation bore 38, the height of the fastener protrudingabove the top surface 42 is minimized. The fixation bores 46 and 54 inthe second lateral member 14 and the midline member 16 are alsocountersunk in a similar manner. Alternatively, some or all of thefixation bores 38, 46, and 54 need not be countersunk.

The three members 12, 14, and 16 can be attached to each other in anumber of ways. In one embodiment of the invention, the members areswaged together so that they remain attached to each other while beinghandled but can be manipulated into different angular relationships toeach other. Alternatively, the three members 12, 14, and 16 can remainseparate until implantation into the patient 4, when they become linkedto one another by the insertion of a fastener (not shown) into the pivotbores 36, 44, and 52. The fastener could be a rivet, screw, or any othersuitable fastener.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and partially exploded view of the variablegeometry occipital fixation device 10 of FIG. 1 after insertion of theattachment bosses 34 into attachment bores 22 and 28. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 4, the attachment bosses 34 are inserted into theattachment bores 22 and 28. The attachment bosses 34 could be press-fit,riveted or swaged into the attachment bores 22 and 28 or inserted in anyother suitable manner. The attachment bosses 34 preferably are free torotate inside of the bores 22 and 28 so as to maintain the orientationof the stabilization device after the orientations of the lateralmembers 12 and 14 are adjusted.

FIG. 5A shows a top plan view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device 10 shown in a narrow configuration. As shown in FIG. 5A,the angle 78 between the lateral members 12 and 14 is relatively small,thereby reducing the distance 80 between the bosses 34. The angle 78 canvary as needed achieve the desired distance 80.

FIG. 5B shows a top plan view of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device 10 shown in a wide configuration. As shown in FIG. 5B,the angle 78 between the lateral members 12 and 14 is larger than theangle 78 shown in FIG. 5A, thereby spanning a larger distance 80 betweenthe bosses 34 than shown in FIG. 5A. In one embodiment of the invention,the angle 78 is approximately 100 degrees when the distance 80 isminimized and is approximately 170 degrees when the distance 80 ismaximized. The available range for angle 80 need not be limited to theseangles, but instead can include any desirable range.

The first and second lateral members 12 and 14 and the midline member 16can include any configuration of fixation bores, attachment bores, andpivot bores suitable for achieving the desired variability in thedistance 78 between the attachment bores 24 and 38. The number and thelocation of the fixation bores, attachment bores, and pivot bores canvary as needed.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method 200 of using the occipital fixationbracket 10 of the invention. A first lateral member 12 and a firstattachment boss 34 are provided (block 205). Then, a second lateralmember 14 and a second attachment boss 34 are provided (block 210). Theattachment bosses 34 are preferably inserted into the first and secondlateral members 12 and 14 prior to surgery. A midline section 16 is alsoprovided (block 215).

The second lateral member 14 is positioned in the desired locationagainst the occiput (block 220). The first lateral member 12 ispositioned against the occiput and overlying the second lateral member14 so that the pivot bores 36 and 44 rotate around a common axis 60(block 225). The midline member 16 is then positioned against theocciput and overlying the first lateral member 12 (block 230). The pivotbore 52 is aligned with the pivot bores 36 and 44.

Next, fasteners are inserted through the pivot bore 52 and the fixationbore 54 of the midline member 16 and into the occiput, thereby attachingthe midline member 16 to the occiput (block 235). The first lateralmember 12 and the second lateral member 14 are rotated around the commonaxis 60 until the desired distance 80 between the attachment bosses 34is achieved (block 240). The attachment bosses 34 are free to rotate intheir bores 22 and 28. The fasteners are then inserted into the fixationbores 38 and 46 of the first and second lateral members 12 and 14,thereby fastening them to the occiput and fixing the position of theattachment bosses 34 (blocks 245 and 250). In this manner, the variablegeometry occipital fixation device may be installed and adjusted toaccommodate a variety of patient sizes and anatomy.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope ofthe claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

1. An occipital fixation method, comprising: coupling three distinctmembers of a variable geometry occipital fixation device to an occiputvia a first fastener, the first fastener extending along a common axis;rotating two of the three distinct members of the variable geometryoccipital fixation device around the common axis; and securing thevariable geometry occipital fixation device to the occiput.
 2. Anoccipital fixation method according to claim 1, wherein attachmentbosses are coupled to the two of the three distinct members of thevariable geometry occipital fixation device and wherein the two of thethree distinct members are rotated until a desired distance between theattachment bosses is achieved.
 3. An occipital fixation method accordingto claim 2, wherein the attachment bosses are free to rotate inattachment bores of the two of the three distinct members of thevariable geometry occipital fixation device.
 4. An occipital fixationmethod according to claim 2, wherein rods are attached to the attachmentbosses and wherein securing the variable geometry occipital fixationdevice to the occiput fixes positions of the attachment bosses relativeto the rods.
 5. An occipital fixation method according to claim 1,wherein each of the three distinct members has a pivot bore and whereinthe first fastener couples the three distinct members to the occiputthrough the pivot bore.
 6. An occipital fixation method according toclaim 5, prior to coupling the three distinct members of the variablegeometry occipital fixation device to the occiput, further comprising:aligning the pivot bores of the three distinct members; and insertingthe first fastener through the pivot bores of the three distinctmembers.
 7. An occipital fixation method according to claim 1, prior tocoupling the three distinct members of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device to the occiput, further comprising: positioning thevariable geometry occipital fixation device against the occiput.
 8. Anoccipital fixation method according to claim 1, wherein securing thevariable geometry occipital fixation device to the occiput furthercomprises: inserting a second fastener into a fixation bore of at leastone of the three distinct members of the variable geometry occipitalfixation device.
 9. An occipital fixation method according to claim 1,wherein the three distinct members comprise a midline member.
 10. Anoccipital fixation method according to claim 9, further comprising:inserting a second fastener through a fixation bore of the midlinemember; and fastening the second fastener to attach the midline memberto the occiput.
 11. An occipital fixation method according to claim 9,wherein the midline member is attached to the occiput through the firstfastener and a second fastener.
 12. An occipital fixation methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising bending one or more of thethree distinct members of the variable geometry occipital fixationdevice.
 13. An occipital fixation method, comprising: inserting a firstfastener through a pivot bore of a midline member, a pivot bore of afirst lateral member, and a pivot bore of a second lateral member, thefirst fastener extending along a common axis; inserting a secondfastener through a fixation bore of the midline member; fastening thefirst fastener and the second fastener to attach the midline member toan occiput; rotating the first lateral member and the second lateralmember around the common axis; and securing the variable geometryoccipital fixation device to the occiput.
 14. An occipital fixationmethod according to claim 13, wherein attachment bosses are coupled tothe first lateral member and the second lateral member and wherein thefirst lateral member and the second lateral member are rotated until adesired distance between the attachment bosses is achieved.
 15. Anoccipital fixation method according to claim 14, wherein the attachmentbosses are free to rotate in attachment bores of the first lateralmember and the second lateral member.
 16. An occipital fixation methodaccording to claim 14, wherein rods are attached to the attachmentbosses and wherein securing the variable geometry occipital fixationdevice to the occiput fixes positions of the attachment bosses relativeto the rods.